Platinum may help fuel electric cars

UPTON, N.Y., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. government scientists say they have stabilized platinum electrocatalysts for use in fuel cells.

Platinum is the most efficient electrocatalyst for accelerating chemical reactions in fuel cells used by electric vehicles. In reactions during the stop-and-go driving of an electric car, however, the platinum dissolves, thereby reducing its efficiency as a catalyst.

Now, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory report they have resolved that problem.

The researchers added gold clusters to the platinum electrocatalyst, keeping it intact during an accelerated stability test that was conducted under conditions similar to those encountered in stop-and-go driving in an electric car.

The research is reported in the Jan. 12 edition of the journal Science.